Posted March 3, 201015 yr What are your favorite movies? Scent of a Woman - "Hoo-hah!" This is classic Pacino and imo his best performance. Great story-line and intelligently written. I still watch this movie all the time on VHS. Hands-down my favorite movie and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Scarface - My favorite gangster movie and it has my favorite actor in it. Fight Club - Great adaptation from the book. Love the dialogue. "Things you own start to own you. It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything." etc. etc. Dogville - Quite possibly the most underrated movie of all time. A lot of people haven't even heard of it. It was only in theaters in Europe but you can still easily find a copy at Blockbuster. Great message at the end. The movie takes place on a stage platform using minimal props proving you don't need a big budget to create a great movie. Philadelphia - I was very moved lol Wall-E - Really makes you think about our post-industrial lifestyle and the bs consumerism we feed into. Back to the Future series - I really like Robert Zemeckis films. There's always so much foreshadowing and attention paid to details; you don't usually notice it until you watch the movie again. A Bronx Tale - Great story. I love one of the last lines in the movie. "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent". Dog Day Afternoon - I love how movies can capture a specific time and place; certain attitudes, accents, mannerisms that don't exist anymore. Another '70s Pacino movie that does that is Panic In Needle Park. Good Will Hunting - So many great lines in that movie. Great story. Good cast too. Rush Hour 3 - I usually don't like movies like this but Chris Tucker is hilarious. So many funny scenes in this movie. Mulholland Drive - Strange, surreal, post-modern experience. The Outsiders Overrated: The Departed Shawshank Redemption The Prestige No Country For Old Men Any Quentin Tarantino snooze-fest. Discuss.
March 3, 201015 yr Suspense (and my overall #1) - The Usual Suspects Action - Lord of the Rings: Two Towers Drama - Forrest Gump Sports - The Natural Comedy - The Pink Panther Strikes Again Horror - The Shining Western - Tombstone
March 3, 201015 yr I don't know why I didn't choose Forrest Gump. It is a really good movie. I think I'm just burned out from seeing it appear on cable tv all the time and hearing people quote the movie non-stop.
March 3, 201015 yr Godfather I&II. III, well, not so much. I'm the first Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back fan? I'm with Hts on teh LOTR movies as well. First fantasy movie series I'd seen that didn't have the hokey looking characters ('Beastmaster', I'm looking at you). Not to copy Hts on everything, but I really loved Usual Suspects. In fact, I haven't seen that in so long, I'm going to buy it. Truthfully, I have to put in Avatar right now as well, if only because the visual effects were so stunning that I don't know if I can go back to watching regular movies again. Also, you have to put in Kickboxer, if for no other reason than that ridiculous scene in the bar where his sensei gets him drunk, and Van Damme does some half dance / half fight destruction of the club. Cinematic brilliance. In fact, I'm just going to put in anything with Jean Claude Van Damme (LIONHEAAAART!!!) and anything with Steven Seagal that precludes his "I'm an eskimo fighting for the environment / doing a film with the most popular rapper / I've gained 75 lbs" phase. JOking aside: one of my favorites, albeit maybe not best of all time by others standards, is the Royal Tenenbaums. I love movies with odd characters and their interaction with each other, and this had plenty. I could watch that movie 100 times and not get tired of it. On that line, Little Miss Sunshine was another one. Just great interplay. Last one - Glengarry Glenross, if for not other reason than Alex Baldwin as Blake War Movies - Saving Private Ryan - I credit Spielberg for taking the glamour out of war movies. I remember after that movie sitting down with my dad to talk to him about his experience during WWII. Dirty Dozen - How can you not love a movie with that much star power?
March 3, 201015 yr I like so many, it would be really hard to narrow them down to a list but I will borrow Hts' idea of breaking them down into category: Action - Lord of the Rings: FOTR and Two Towers Drama - Schindler's List, Sophie's Choice, Godfather 1&2, Dances With Wolves Sports - Field of Dreams Comedy - Silver Streak, MASH, Duck Soup, The Apartment Horror - Halloween (the original), Silence of the Lambs Western - Giant, Shane Love Story - Officer & a Gentleman, A Man In Love Tearjerker - Terms of Endearment, Brokeback Mountain, Bridges of Madison County Musical - Singing in the Rain, Brigadoon, Wizard of Oz, Amadeus Classic - Manchurian Candidate War - Apocalypse Now, Deer Hunter
March 3, 201015 yr I don't know why I didn't choose Forrest Gump. It is a really good movie. I think I'm just burned out from seeing it appear on cable tv all the time and hearing people quote the movie non-stop. I really didn't like Forrest Gump when if first came out because I kept seeing it as a ripoff of "Being There" with Peter Sellers. But as I've seen it again, and again, and again, I've really come to appreciate it.
March 3, 201015 yr I tend to agree on most of the movies talked about above, but I will throw in some odd categories. Best Surfing/ Bank Robbery Movie: Point Break Best Bowling/ Stoner Movie: The Big Lebowski Best Sci Fi/Action: The Matrix (2 and 3 are crap but the first one kept me up all night thinking about it) Best Mob Movie based on true events: Goodfellas (with Donnie Brasco a close second)
March 3, 201015 yr All About Eve - no action, no CGI, no T&A (except for a brief appearance by Marilyn Monroe) - just a great script performed by incredible actors. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
March 3, 201015 yr Comedy - Planes, Trains and Automobiles Drama - Sorry David, Shawshank Redemption Suspense - All the Bourne Movies Honerable Mentions - Godfather I, Bronx Tale, Uncle Buck, Blazing Saddles
March 3, 201015 yr Comedy: Caddyshack / Ghostbusters Drama: Schindler's List, 12 Angry Men, To Kill a Mockingbird Suspense: Jaws Sports: Slap Shot Action: Predator Sci-fi: Robocop Keanu Reeves: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure Jean Claude Van Damme: JCVD Musical: West Side Story
March 3, 201015 yr I don't know why I didn't choose Forrest Gump. It is a really good movie. I think I'm just burned out from seeing it appear on cable tv all the time and hearing people quote the movie non-stop. I really didn't like Forrest Gump when if first came out because I kept seeing it as a ripoff of "Being There" with Peter Sellers. But as I've seen it again, and again, and again, I've really come to appreciate it. A teacher I had in HS had a great take on Forrest Gump. The teacher grew up as part of the baby boomer generation. He thought that Forrest Gump was a gut shot at all the people in his generation who had sold out on their idealogies and finally bowed down to "the man".... Like George Carlin said, it was a generation that went from "cocaine to rogaine". Forrest Gump just fluttered through life (think of the feather at the beginning and end) as a truly good person who never sold out and he thrived. He overcame a physical disability and absentee father to become an All-American college football player, a war hero, a international sports star, a cult leader, a multi-millionare both through independent business and as an investor, he eventually won over his childhood sweetheart and got married to her, he retired at a young age, he met the President of the United States 3 or 4 times, etc., etc. He articulated it much better than me, but it made some sense even if that wasn't the writer's intent. Regardless, the movie hits on just about every major event and social issue of the last half of the 20th Century and is a classic commentary on American life during that time.
March 3, 201015 yr My current favorites in no particular order... Monty Python and the Holy Grail (The ending is bad and anticlimatic, but otherwise this is the best comedy ever made IMO) Fiddler on the Roof (Best Musical ever) Princess Bride (Silly, but fun adventure story, I can't watch it without smiling) Slumdog Millionare (Sad, funny, romantic, intense, what's not to love?) Office Space (Have you seen my stapler?) Godfather (The first one is great, the second is just good, the third is just ok) The Matrix (Though provoking, plus lots of action, me likey) Good Will Hunting (Best date movie I ever saw on a date) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Fun, adventure, a little action, a little face melting, good stuff)
March 3, 201015 yr Was there "face melting" in the Last Crusade? I thought that was just Raiders of the Lost Ark.
March 3, 201015 yr Was there "face melting" in the Last Crusade? I thought that was just Raiders of the Lost Ark. Yup, right after the guy chose the wrong cup.
March 3, 201015 yr I thought he more withered away than melted, but I will take your word for it. Regardless, it doesn't come close to the epic face melting we saw in ROLA
March 3, 201015 yr I thought he more withered away than melted, but I will take your word for it. Regardless, it doesn't come close to the epic face melting we saw in ROLA True, but the rest of that movie wasn't nearly as good. Plus the snakes creaped me out. I, like Indy, hate snakes.
March 3, 201015 yr Most Quotable Move: Fletch "Hey! I think all of our problems may have just been solved. Ed McMahon. Think I just won a million bucks. Yeahhahhah, Irwin M. Fletcher you choose. Woo wee! Oh boy, I lost. Again. Sorry." "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
March 3, 201015 yr I have a lot of favorite movies, here is a random list of them (in no particular order): The Shawshank Redemption Up Inglourious Basterds The Sound of Music The Wizard of Oz The Dark Knight Bent The Bubble Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Shelter Come Undone Schindler's List Quinceañera The Breakfast Club Sixteen Candles Mean Girls The Devil Wears Prada The Departed Cruel Intentions Cat on a Hot Tin Roof The Great Gatsby The Way We Were
March 3, 201015 yr ^The Breakfast Club. Classic for our generation even if the lack of diversity was typical for any John Hughes film. And dare I say that is the only favorite movie list I will ever see in my life that goes from Inglorious Bastard to The Sound of Music to Wizard of Oz to The Dark Knight. That is... until someone posts one jumping from Annie to Saw
March 3, 201015 yr David, I have to agree with you about Dogville. I have it on dvd and, though I don't watch it often, am always given new thoughts on the human condition when I do. My personal favorite, however, is Schindler's List. Once in a blue I grab a bottle of brandy, put the movie in the player, and have a sobfest...
March 4, 201015 yr Gladiator has not been mentioned. Metropolis Jet li- fearless* *watching now* Charlie Chaplin “Modern Times” (1936) All India Jones Star Wars Silence of the Lambs-Hanibal Top Gun Independence Day Lola Rennt (german) Pi Hud, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid-Paul Newman Ghostbusters Wall Street (Greed is Good!) Jurassic Park Event Horizon
March 4, 201015 yr A couple more that I would add to my list: 'Memento' - great concept Almost Famous - for the soundtrack if nothing else In the Mouth of Madness - underrated horror flick Total Recall - the best Ah-nald movie of all time IMO And for those who brought up Van Damme movies, how the living hell is 'Bloodsport' left out of the conversation? Good call above on 'MASH' - Much funnier than the TV show to me. Lastly, I can't believe I left off 'Hunt for Red October'.... even if the book blows it out of the water, the movie was great.
March 4, 201015 yr Ferris Bueller's Day Off Waking Life Pineapple Express American Gangster Jurassic Park American Psycho
March 4, 201015 yr probably stone cold starring Brian "the boz" Bosworth............If Boz had a twitter account I'd definitely follow him.
March 4, 201015 yr Most Quotable Move: Fletch "Hey! I think all of our problems may have just been solved. Ed McMahon. Think I just won a million bucks. Yeahhahhah, Irwin M. Fletcher you choose. Woo wee! Oh boy, I lost. Again. Sorry." Ha!. 'What kind of name is 'Poon' anyway' "Comanche Indian"
March 4, 201015 yr And for those who brought up Van Damme movies, how the living hell is 'Bloodsport' left out of the conversation? I'd agree that Bloodsport is his best 80's style action movie. But, JCVD blows it out of the water in terms of actual quality. Last night Cool Hand Luke was on TCM...Great movie. Second best Paul Newman movie behind Slapshot.
March 4, 201015 yr BEST MOVIES - SHOT IN OHIO - The Shawshank Redemption - American Splendor - A Christmas Story - The Deer Hunter - Traffic - And The Winner Is ... - Antwone Fisher
March 4, 201015 yr Training Day - Denzel is so powerful in that film. Pirates of the Caribbean - all three of them. Great actors, great director, beautiful scenery, old-fasioned swashbuckling pirates, great score.. I could go on but I won't haha.
March 4, 201015 yr Since this thread has evolved into a favorite movies thread, I have to throw out I'm Gonna Git you Sucka. Nothing but hilarity front to back. Wayans at their finest. Plus it stars Jim Brown
March 4, 201015 yr I don't know why I didn't choose Forrest Gump. It is a really good movie. I think I'm just burned out from seeing it appear on cable tv all the time and hearing people quote the movie non-stop. I really didn't like Forrest Gump when if first came out because I kept seeing it as a ripoff of "Being There" with Peter Sellers. But as I've seen it again, and again, and again, I've really come to appreciate it. A teacher I had in HS had a great take on Forrest Gump. The teacher grew up as part of the baby boomer generation. He thought that Forrest Gump was a gut shot at all the people in his generation who had sold out on their idealogies and finally bowed down to "the man".... Like George Carlin said, it was a generation that went from "cocaine to rogaine". Forrest Gump just fluttered through life (think of the feather at the beginning and end) as a truly good person who never sold out and he thrived. He overcame a physical disability and absentee father to become an All-American college football player, a war hero, a international sports star, a cult leader, a multi-millionare both through independent business and as an investor, he eventually won over his childhood sweetheart and got married to her, he retired at a young age, he met the President of the United States 3 or 4 times, etc., etc. He articulated it much better than me, but it made some sense even if that wasn't the writer's intent. Regardless, the movie hits on just about every major event and social issue of the last half of the 20th Century and is a classic commentary on American life during that time. I really feel like Benjamin Button ripped off Forrest Gump too much.
March 4, 201015 yr Pineapple Express Great movie. I love Seth Rogen movies. Superbad, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up, etc. David, I have to agree with you about Dogville. I have it on dvd and, though I don't watch it often, am always given new thoughts on the human condition when I do. Word And for those who brought up Van Damme movies, how the living hell is 'Bloodsport' left out of the conversation? Bloodsport is my favorite Van Damme movie too.
March 4, 201015 yr The original "Alien". Unbelievable Sci-fi. Even though it's late '70s, it is so cutting-edge that it holds up through all these years and doesn't ever seem dated (except for the obvious computers -- "mother"). The crew of Ripley, Parker, Lambert, Kane, Brett, Dallas and the shockingly cool "Ash" -- the Android gone nutso, is fantastic. More shock was added by, of course, the gestating Alien as Kane sat at the dinner table in the ship's galley. Next is "Aliens". One of the best sequels ever made. "Thelma & Louise". An eventual sad story of struggle and consequence. "Sunshine" (2007) With Chris Evans, Rose Byrne and Cilian Murphy. The Cinematography is top-notch. And the story of human nature in deep space hits the mark.
March 4, 201015 yr 2 different categories that have great ones... Foreign Language: "Run Lola Run". A German suspense/thriller. Manni and Lola have 20 minutes to find (steal) 100,000 Deutschmarks or they're goners (at least he is). Should be watched in English Language mode. Subtitles take your eyes off any movie. Classic (TCM): "Sunset Boulevard". Even though it's a classic oldie, it shows Hollywood hasn't changed.
March 5, 201015 yr Doesn't feel as if all the Fancy computer effects have robbed Sci-fi movies of some of their depth? I mean some look terrible now. Independance Day seems instanly dated yet Aliens or Star Wars holds up for decades.
March 5, 201015 yr Great movie. I love Seth Rogen movies. Superbad, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up, etc. You, and he, need to die. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 5, 201015 yr Of course, "best movies ever made" fit my mood. So today, I say the best movie ever made was The Wizard of Oz for numerous reasons and its particular effects on today's movie genres. Of course, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my personal favorites along with Dr. Strangelove, In the Heat of the Night, Full Metal Jacket (love Kubrick), and A Soldier's Story. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 5, 201015 yr 2 different categories that have great ones... Foreign Language: "Run Lola Run". A German suspense/thriller. Manni and Lola have 20 minutes to find (steal) 100,000 Deutschmarks or they're goners (at least he is). Should be watched in English Language mode. Subtitles take your eyes off any movie. Classic (TCM): "Sunset Boulevard". Even though it's a classic oldie, it shows Hollywood hasn't changed. Real good foreign film I saw recently - French film called "Tell No One."
March 5, 201015 yr Doesn't feel as if all the Fancy computer effects have robbed Sci-fi movies of some of their depth? I mean some look terrible now. Independance Day seems instanly dated yet Aliens or Star Wars holds up for decades. The brilliance of Alien (I assume you meant the first one) was that you never really saw the alien, but the (not sure if this is the right term) suggestive cinematography was and still is unparalled. I don't know if I can get on board with your Star Wars analysis though. Sure, it was brilliant for its time and is not painful to watch (like some other earlier special effects), but the special effects can't even be compared to what they did with the last (I mean "first") three.
March 5, 201015 yr I don't know if I can get on board with your Star Wars analysis though. Sure, it was brilliant for its time and is not painful to watch (like some other earlier special effects), but the special effects can't even be compared to what they did with the last (I mean "first") three. I disagree. I think the model scenes in the first movies are a lot better than a majority of special effects using CGI. My issue with CGI is that it typically was so obviously different than the rest of the film. I've heard that some of the new stuff (like in Avatar) is basically seemless...and i'm sure those technologies will get better (like in the new Star Trek) but a lot of times directors don't make it gritty enough to look real.
March 8, 201015 yr I don't like Horror movies. They're boring, to me. Though, my favorite one is "IT". That clown scared the sh!t out of me.
March 8, 201015 yr I remember when my friends and I went to see The Grudge. That movie SUCKED. Why was that little asian boy meow-ing like a cat for no reason? I've had a Grudge against AMC Cinemas ever since then for not giving me 2 hours of my life and 6 bucks back after seeing that.
Create an account or sign in to comment